Initial Impressions: Testing the TurboLab GT Turbo Kit on a Stock GR86

The Subaru BRZ and Toyota GR86 twins have redefined the affordable sports car segment, delivering a lightweight, rear-wheel-drive chassis with sublime balance. Yet even the most dedicated enthusiasts eventually crave more power. The naturally aspirated FA24 flat-four produces a respectable 228 horsepower, but a well-designed turbocharger can transform the driving experience without compromising the car’s core virtues. Enter the TurboLab GT Turbo Kit – a bolt-on solution promising substantial gains while maintaining the reliability that makes the GR86 a daily-capable weekend warrior. We installed one on an otherwise stock 2023 GR86 and spent several weeks putting it through its paces. Here are our detailed initial impressions.

Overview of the TurboLab GT Turbo Kit

TurboLab has built a reputation for well-engineered, platform-specific turbo systems, and their GT kit for the GR86/BRZ is no exception. Designed to work with the factory engine management and fuel system, the kit targets a safe and repeatable power increase without requiring internal engine modifications. Key components include:

  • GT-series turbocharger – a journal-bearing unit sized for quick spool and strong mid-range (TurboLab claims a 60–70% increase in airflow over the stock intake system).
  • Cast iron exhaust manifold – provides durability and heat management, with a T25 flange for the turbo.
  • Air-to-air intercooler – a bar-and-plate core designed to reduce intake air temperatures by up to 50°F under sustained load.
  • Compressed intake piping with a high-flow filter – keeps the turbo fed with cool air while minimizing restriction.
  • Blow-off valve (recirculating type) – preserves compressor surge protection and maintains driveability.
  • Remotely mounted oil filter relocation kit – ensures proper oil supply and cooling for the turbocharger.
  • ECU tune – a base file for the AEM F/IC or ECUTek software, which allows on-the-fly adjustment.

TurboLab advertises peak gains in the 280–320 wheel horsepower range on pump gas (93 octane), with torque climbing from stock 184 lb-ft to over 260 lb-ft. Those numbers place the GR86 in legitimate competition with cars costing twice as much.

Installation Process

Installing a turbo kit on a modern fuel-injected car is never a weekend affair for the average DIYer, but TurboLab has made concerted efforts to simplify the process. The kit includes a detailed instruction manual with torque specs and routing diagrams. The following major steps are required:

  1. Depower the fuel system – relieve pressure and disconnect the lines.
  2. Remove the stock intake manifold and exhaust headers.
  3. Install the oil filter relocation sandwich plate with –10 AN fittings, routing lines to the turbo.
  4. Mount the turbocharger and manifold to the block using supplied gaskets and hardware.
  5. Install the intercooler in the front bumper area – some trimming of the plastic shroud is required.
  6. Route the intercooler piping (comes pre-bent with silicone couplers).
  7. Connect the blow-off valve and wastegate line.
  8. Install the ECU piggyback or flash tool and upload the base tune.

Our install took approximately 12 hours over two days with a lift and standard tools. The only sticking point was the oil return line from the turbo to the pan – access is tight near the firewall. A second set of hands helps. TurboLab provides all hardware, gaskets, and vacuum lines. We recommend a professional shop for those unfamiliar with turbo plumbing or sensor wiring.

For the sake of a clean comparison, we left the car otherwise stock – no aftermarket clutch, exhaust, or suspension. This allowed us to evaluate the kit’s impact on a completely standard GR86.

Initial Driving Impressions

After a brief break-in drive to bed rings and settle the tune, we headed to our favorite back roads and a local dyno facility. The transformation is immediate and profound.

Power Delivery and Boost Response

With the stock ECU retune, the TurboLab kit reaches full boost (7 psi) by 3,200 RPM. There is a hint of lag below 2,500 RPM – the FA24’s torque dip that afflicted the earlier FA20 is still present but now ends much sooner. Once the turbo spools, the mid-range pull is relentless. The car accelerates with a linear surge rather than a violent kick, which makes it exceptionally manageable on public roads.

On the dyno we recorded 297 whp and 272 lb-ft of torque on 93 octane. That represents a 40% gain in power and a 48% gain in torque compared to our baseline. Importantly, the torque curve is fat and flat from 3,500 to 6,500 RPM, meaning you don’t have to wring the engine out to feel the benefit. Shifting at 4,000 RPM during normal driving still keeps you deep in the boost zone.

Throttle Response and Driveability

TurboLab has mapped the blow-off valve to open only during closed-throttle shifts, so tip-in response is crisp. There is no surging or hesitation when rolling back into the throttle. The engine idles smoothly, and cold starts are no different from stock. Around town, the GR86 feels genuinely quick – you can instantly overtake without dropping two gears.

Sound Character

The turbocharger changes the auditory experience dramatically. The intake now emits a loud whistle under load, especially between 3,500-4,500 RPM, and the blow-off valve’s swoosh is satisfying without being obnoxious. Exhaust note deepens due to the turbo silencing high-frequency noise, but it’s not drone-prone. Overall balance is excellent – the car announces its presence without offending neighbors.

Handling and Ride Quality

One of the GR86’s greatest attributes is its chassis balance. Adding horsepower risks upsetting that magic formula. To our relief, the TurboLab kit adds only about 30 pounds to the front axle (turbo, manifold, intercooler – the oil relocation kit shifts some weight rearward). The front weight bias changes from 52% to approximately 53%, which is negligible for street performance.

In aggressive cornering, we noticed no increase in understeer. The car remains neutral and rotates predictably off throttle. The steering feel is still direct and communicates road texture well. If anything, the extra torque mid-corner lets you adjust the line with the throttle more effectively – the car now responds to a squeeze of the gas rather than requiring a downshift.

We recommend upgrading tires soon after adding power – the factory Primacy HP tires are quickly overwhelmed. With good summer rubber (e.g., Michelin PS4S or Yokohama Advan A052), the GR86 becomes a truly potent track day weapon.

Fuel Efficiency Considerations

Adding a turbocharger often triggers fears of frequent fill-ups. During our mixed driving loop (about 60% highway, 40% city) we observed an average of 23.5 MPG, versus 26.5 MPG stock. That’s a drop of about 11% under normal driving. Hard acceleration runs can pull the average down to 16-18 MPG for that tank. However, given the massive performance uplift, this trade-off seems reasonable. On long highway cruises with minimal boost, we saw 28 MPG, so the car remains efficient when driven gently.

The ECU tune also includes a lean-cruise parameter that helps offset some of the extra fuel used during spool. We advise using premium fuel of at least 91 AKI to avoid knock; 93 is highly recommended for full power.

Long-Term Reliability and Modifications

The FA24 engine is strong, but forced induction will push oil temperatures higher, especially in track conditions. TurboLab includes an oil cooler sandwich plate, but we recommend adding a larger heat exchanger if you plan extended lapping sessions. Our car hit 230°F oil temps during a 20-minute back road blast in 85°F ambient – acceptable, but on a track day we would want a dedicated cooler.

Clutch life is another concern. The stock clutch is marginal at stock power; after a few hundred miles of aggressive driving we noticed slip under full boost in third and fourth gears. A stage 1 or 2 clutch is a wise upgrade to avoid premature failure.

TurboLab provides a base tune that runs on the conservative side (12:1 AFR under boost). With a proper custom dyno calibration, you could safely push to 8-9 psi and approach 340 wheel horsepower, but that would necessitate injectors, fuel pump, and possibly upgraded internals. For the scope of this test, the base tune is safe and well-mapped.

Conclusion

After several weeks behind the wheel, our initial impressions of the TurboLab GT Turbo Kit are overwhelmingly positive. It transforms the GR86 from a charming but underpowered sports car into a genuine performance machine that can hang with cars costing twice as much. The installation is achievable for a competent enthusiast, the power delivery is smooth and linear, and the handling character is preserved. For those looking to turn their daily driver into a serious street/track toy without going full race car, this kit is an excellent choice.

We will follow up with a long-term review after 10,000 miles, including track data and reliability notes. In the meantime, we recommend researching professional installation and pairing the kit with a clutch upgrade and better tires.

For more information, explore the TurboLab official product page, check out community discussions on GR86.org, and read about FA24 tuning best practices from Delicious Tuning.